Big bus strike to hit London and Essex from August – Dates and areas
Key Points
- More than 1,500 Arriva North London drivers will strike on 26 days between 14 August and 20 October
- Routes served by the Barking, Edmonton, Enfield, Grays, Palmers Green, Stamford Hill, Tottenham and Wood Green garages face delays and cancellations
- Unite says cab temperatures reach 40 degrees and higher, with air cooling systems cutting only two or three degrees
- Some strike dates clash with Piccadilly line closures in August and September
- Arriva reported a pre-tax profit of €156 million in its most recent figures
More than 1,500 Arriva North London drivers will strike on 26 days between 14 August and 20 October, hitting bus routes across north London and Essex.
Unite members at eight garages voted for the action after Arriva failed to respond to complaints about driving in extreme heat.
Most buses in the Arriva North London fleet carry air cooling systems rather than air conditioning, and those systems have cut cab temperatures by only two or three degrees during this summer’s heatwaves.
Driver cabs reach 40 degrees and higher. Drivers have reported heat exhaustion, heat stroke and dehydration this summer.
The union links the conditions to driver fatigue, which raises crash risk for passengers and other road users as well as drivers. Unite balloted members in June.
The dispute also covers allegations of union busting by Arriva North London management, including claims that managers bullied Unite representatives and members.
“Time and time again drivers have complained to Arriva North London about working in dangerous conditions but the company has failed to act which is completely unacceptable,” said Sharon Graham, General Secretary of Unite.
“A profitable company such as Arriva could easily invest in improving conditions for its drivers and protecting the general public but is instead prioritising greed. We will back our members all the way in this dispute.”
Arriva’s most recent financial figures, published in mid-2025, showed a pre-tax profit of €156 million and an operating profit of €127 million.
Which garages and dates are affected
Drivers taking part work out of the Barking, Edmonton, Enfield, Grays, Palmers Green, Stamford Hill, Tottenham and Wood Green garages.
Passengers face significant delays and cancellations on those routes throughout the strike period. Several of the dates fall alongside planned Piccadilly line closures in August and September, cutting alternative options for the same journeys.
Strikes will run on:
- 19 to 20 October
- 14 to 15 August
- 18 to 21 August
- 25 to 28 August
- 4 to 5 September
- 7 to 8 September
- 18 to 19 September
- 21 to 22 September
- 2 to 3 October
- 5 to 6 October
- 16 to 17 October
“We know those who rely on these bus services will be dismayed to hear of industrial action, but it is entirely the fault of Arriva who has completely failed to listen to our members,” said Steven Stockwell, regional officer at Unite.
“Instead of engaging in bullying behaviour, Arriva could prevent this disruption by entering meaningful discussions with Unite on how to improve driver working conditions in hot weather one and for all. It must take this seriously and enter talks with Unite.”
Unite has issued drivers with an official letter to show employers when cab conditions become too hot, stating that the driver is stopping work on safety grounds.
Section 44 of the Employment Rights Act 1996 gives drivers a legal right to do this. London mayor Sadiq Khan has backed the letter and told bus operators and Transport for London that drivers can stop work during a heatwave.
